Did the Academy Awards Makeover Pay Off? Who Won the 2009 Oscars?

The 81^st Annual Academy Awards was rung in by new host, Hugh Jackman. Beneath a dazzling arch of Swarovski crystals and backed by a jazz band, the Sexiest Man Alive sang and dazzled throughout the entire program.

The whole set was completely different than in past years. Plagued by dropping ratings, the folks over at the Academy decided to give the Kodak theater a makeover. Straying away from the stereotypical red and gold palate usually used by the Academy, they adopted cool blues and whites, hung crystal chandeliers above the stage, attached that amazing crystal curtain made up of 92,000 Swarovski crystals and settled the stage close among the audience. The result, combined with a wonderful host who was unafraid to get down among the spectators, was a much more intimate and fun affair.

Jackman opened the Awards with a song about all the films nominated for Best Picture. Edged with a humorous slant about the economy, he sang in front of a "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" set made of pizza boxes, serenaded Kate Winslet, danced along with an impressive dance troupe and played "Frost" to Anne Hathaway's "Nixon." All in all, a wonderful start to the evening.

View the song here.

Jackman did another musical number later in the evening, staged by his Australia director, Baz Luhrmann. It was a fun number. Men in tuxes, women in Chicago-esque suit tops, no bottoms and top hats, all to celebrate film. Beyonce joined Jackman onstage, as did High School Musical couple, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens.

One of the changes made the Oscars' style was the way the acting categories were presented. Instead of just announcing the nominees, playing a film clip and opening the envelope, five of the nominees' peers stepped out on stage, including last years' winners. These included Marion Cotillard, Tilda Swinton, Sophia Loren, Kevin Kline, Anthony Hopkins and Robert De Niro.

Each actor or actress then offered a personal tribute to each of the nominees before announcing who had won the category. While many people didn't like the tributes, I felt that they only added to the intimacy of the program and really set apart these especially important categories.

There really were no huge surprises as far as the winners went. Kate Winslet finally got her due, as did Penelope Cruz. The underdog Slumdog Millionaire was the big winner of the night, taking home seven awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Score.

Heath Ledger won the Supporting Actor category, making him the second person to win an Academy Award posthumously. Unsurprisingly, Ledger's family accepting the award was the most touching moment of the evening. The only minor surprise was Sean Penn taking the Best Actor category over Mickey Rourke, but many agreed that the award could have gone either way.

Undoubtedly, the show was one of the best in years. It's a pity that it takes an economic recession to make the Academy get creative.

Complete List of Winners at 81^st Academy Awards